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Anti-Israeli protests derail basketball game in Turkey

Updated
Wed 7 Jan 2009, 1:01 PM AEDT

A Eurocup basketball match was called off in Ankara as the visiting Israeli side did not bother to return to the court after Turkish spectators launched anti-Israeli protests, prompting riot police to intervene.

"Israeli murderers, get out of Palestine," "Allah-u Akhbar" (God is great), the protestors chanted as the teams - Israel's Bnei Hasharon and Turkey's Turk Telekom - initially came out for the match in the Ataturk Sports Arena.

The Israelis returned to their locker room after a group of protestors, some carrying Palestinian flags and wearing the kaffiyeh - the traditional checkered Arab scarf - hurled coins and lighters at them and attempted to invade the court, prompting police to use truncheons to stop them.

The spectators were then asked to empty the hall, but several dozen people refused to leave and their exit was secured only with a false announcement that the match had been cancelled.

The referees then called the two teams back to start the game, but the Israeli side did not show up.

Turk Telecom, leaders in Group D, is expected to be awarded victory, with Bnei Hasharon, stuck at the bottom, considered to have forfeited the game by not fielding a team.

Hundreds of protestors gathered also outside the building, shouting anti-Israeli slogans and waving Palestinian flags. Most of them were not allowed in.

About 1,000 policemen were on duty for the match, media reports said.

Israel's bloody offensive in the Gaza Strip since December 27 has triggered almost daily demonstrations in Turkey, where the Palestinian cause enjoys widespread support even though the country is Israel's main regional ally.